The term reconstruction refers to the years from 1865 to 1877 when the American people reestablished the Southern states as an integral part of the Union. Below is a PowerPoint on Reconstruction.
Abraham Lincoln was aware of the strong racial prejudice of most white people in the North and South. He wanted equality for blacks in the United States, and so he created a proposal to support the voluntary colonization of free blacks outside the US. Responding to political pressure, on September 22, 1862, Lincoln issued his preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Had he failed to act, he would have split the Republican Party, most of whom favored emancipation. The Proclamation gave the confederate states one hundred days to give up the struggle without losing their slaves. On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that the slaves of the confederacy were free. Since the South had not yet been defeated, the proclamation did not immediately free anyone, but it made being free from slavery an explicit war aim of the North.
Despite its powerful wording, the Emancipation Proclamation was limited in many ways. It only applied to states that had seceded from the Union, leaving slavery untouched in the loyal slave states. It also expressly exempted parts of the Confederacy that had already come under Northern control. Also, the freedom that it promised depended upon Union military victory. The Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery in the nation, however it did affect the advance of federal troops; it expanded the domain of freedom. The Proclamation announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy, enabling the liberated to become liberators. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom. The Proclamation accelerated the breakdown of slavery as a labor system, and therefore deprived the South of many of its workers that were the backbone of the economy.
President Abraham Lincoln’s “Ten Percent Plan” was a part of his Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction. (Link and Tenth paragraph) The plan applied only to the states which had seceded from the Union and outlined the criteria which those states needed to adhere to in order to become a part of the Union once more. First, at least ten percent of the state’s voting population must have sworn an oath of allegiance to the Union. However, if a person took the oath and then broke afterwards their oath would be void and would not count towards the ten percent. The federal government determined the size of the voting population in a state by the number of voters in the 1860 presidential election. Second, that state needed to abolish slavery within its borders. Once the ten percent had been obtain and the slaves freed, a state government could be established, but it needed to be republican. The “Ten Percent Plan” implied that once the state level government had been erected then that state would be allowed all of the constitutional benefits that came from being part of the Union.
In order for the “Ten Percent Plan” to be effective the nation had to believe that individuals had committed treason instead of collective states. That would give the power of reentry to Lincoln because only the president can pardon criminals. The plan would have allowed the north to complete their goals of restoring unity to the nation and freeing slaves in the south. Lincoln chose ten percent because he knew that the rapport with the south would be strained if he required all of them to pledge their allegiance to the Union and denounce the Confederation. Also, ten percent allowed for a quick reentry into the Union for former confederate states. Louisiana and Arkansas both fulfilled the requirements in a short amount of time, however, congress refused to acknowledge them. Congress chose to believe that states had left the nation because congress would have the power to decide when and how a state was readmitted into the country. Also many radical republicans believed that Lincoln’s plan was too lenient. They did not trust the south and believed that they should be properly punished for their actions. The plan for reconstruction caused many political divisions among northern men. In the end the “Ten Percent Plan” was never ratified because of President Lincoln’s assassination.
The Wade-Davis Bill was a response to Lincoln’s 10% plan. Congress, comprised of mainly republicans, wanted to ensure that there would be stricter measures on how to admit states back into the Union. The 10% plan was far too liberal in their eyes, so they refused to accept it as law, consequently setting up there own plan for re-admittance. Senator Benjamin F. Wade and Representative Henry Winter Davis proposed the plan in February of 1864, setting up stricter provisions. The plan required 50% of the white men in a state to take loyalty oaths for the Union in order to be readmitted. Also, to promote black rights, it became mandatory for black’s to have the right to vote. Congress passed the bill easily, but Lincoln used a pocket veto by not signing the bill, which nullified it. Afterwards, there was still a need for a solution to restoring the Union.
Both the Wade-Davis Bill and 10% percent plan exemplified the Union’s misunderstandings and differing opinions. Lincoln’s belief that the people left the Union, and Congress’ belief that the states left the Union, created a large division between radicals and liberals on how to reconstruct the Union. The Wade-Davis bill created an impasse between Congress and the president as nothing was getting accomplished after its veto. Both plans to readmit states failed, and although Lincoln appeared to be more willing to follow a stricter policy, his death put a halt to any progress. After the bill’s veto, the United States’ method to readmit states was undefined and needed work.
Just five days after the surrender of Confederate army General Robert E. Lee, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. On April 14, 1865, Lincoln was shot while attending a play with his wife at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor whose intention was to motivate the remaining Confederate troops to keep fighting, shot Lincoln. Booth jumped onto the stage and escaped to Maryland. Booth was found hiding in a barn on April 26, which was set on fire. Booth was shot and killed and eight conspirators were punished for their involvement in Lincoln’s death. Lincoln was the first American president to be assassinated. Andrew Johnson, whom was named President after Lincoln’s death, made a speech in Cleveland on September 3, 1866. At the end of this speech, Johnson said:
“All I want now, peace has come and the war is over, is for all patriotic men to rally round the standard of their country, and swear by their altars and their God, that all shall sink together but what this Union shall be supported. Then in parting with you tonight, I hang over you this flag, not of 25 but of 36 stars; I hand over to you the Constitution of my country, though imprisoned, though breaches have been made upon it, with confidence hoping that you will repair the breaches; I hand it over to you, in whom I have always trusted and relied, and, so far, I have never deserted-and I feel confident, while speaking here tonight, for heart responds to heart of man, that you agree to the same great doctrine."
Abraham Lincoln is known as one of the greatest Presidents our country has ever seen. His actions were the cornerstone of the abolishment of slavery. Lincoln had plans for America’s reconstruction, like the 10% plan, which was ignored Johnson. Johnson also vetoed two bills that the Republicans supported. Johnson’s actions lead to many disputes with congress. The difference in views between Johnson and Congress for the reconstruction of America eventually became irreconcilable and Congress had no choice but to implement its own plan for reconstruction, which was referred to as the Radical Reconstruction. This dispute between Johnson and Congress delayed the reconstruction process. John disregarding Lincoln’s original plan for reconstruction also altered the process entirely.
Freedman's Bureau
1865
The Freedmen's Bill Passed
Freedmen’s Bureau, or also referred to as Freedman, Land of Refugees and the Bureau of Refugees, was founded by the Department of war after Abraham Lincolns Emancipation proclamation. Lincoln initiated the idea by passing The Freedmen’s Bureau Bill on March 3, 1865 with the notion that the law would only be in place for one year. Freedmen’s Bureau was lead by the general of the Union Army, Oliver Otis Howard, and was established to help emancipated slaves with their transition to freedom. Freedmen’s Bureau helped former slaves with healthcare, finding work, legality issues, education, marriage licenses and land ownership. Freedmen's Bureau's greatest advancement for the freed slaves was in education. Over a thousand schools for the African Americans were built to help them better adapt to the change around them in the south. Freedmen’s Bureau lasted from 1865 until 1872, when Ulysses S. Grant terminated it after it was under suspition for corruption by the Radical Republicans who controlled it. Freedmen's Bureau Education Background On Freedmen's Bureau
Freedmen’s Bureau was the first significant institution put in place to help the blacks of the south transition into a free life. With the help of Freedmen’s Bureau, thousands of freed slaves were able to have legal help to protect them from illegal enslavement and unfair employment pay. African Americans were receiving support from the north to survive in the south and it was now possible for African Americans to obtain full citizenship, as well as a further understanding of society. Freedmen’s Bureau brought previously separated families back together and strengthened the power of African Americans both socially and economically. It was a pivotal point in time following the Emancipation Proclamation to help reconstruct the south’s social classes by adding freed slaves into society. However, towards its end, the strides that Freedmen's Bureau had taken was overshadowed by the idea that Radical Republican were simply using it as means of power for control over the southern states. As well as being in question for their true intentions, Freedman's Bureau, although successful in the short term, was proved to be ineffective in the long term simply because 7 years was not nearly enough to help the African Americans transition from slavery into freedom. After Freedmen's Bureau was dissolved, the ex-slaves were left to their own means to face the little-changed morale of the south.
Carpetbaggers and Scalawags
Scalawags and Carpetbaggers were derogatory terms used to describe two different groups of Whites in the south, Scalawags referred to native White southerners. These people supported the reconstruction plan. They also supported the Blacks in the south. While some supported the new government and freed African Americans for financial gain, others had believed in these ideas before the civil war. Carpetbaggers referred to Whites who had moved to the South from the North. The name “carpetbagger” came from the bags made of cloth that were used to carry their belongings. Not all carpetbaggers actually had these bags. Some carpetbaggers simply moved to the South for financial opportunity, but others came for a better life and to help rebuild the South.
Scalawags and Carpetbaggers represented the negative feelings to those who supported the federal government and African Americans. Even Caucasians were viewed negatively if they supported what most Southerners despised. The sectional differences also were apparent from the hatred towards those who moved from the North (carpetbaggers). These derogatory terms show the disdain for the federal government in the South. While the South had returned to the Union after their defeat in the Civil War, it had not changed their differences that had caused them to depart in the first place. Even those who moved to the South to help rebuild the damaged towns were disliked. Carpetbaggers and Scalawags show progress in the way that there were more supporters of the Union after the Civil War, but also show that there were still clear differences between the two sides.
The Black Codes were a series of laws put in place shortly after the Civil War by the defeated Confederate states. The concept of the Black Codes came from the old Slave Codes, which defined the rights of slaves and regulated slavery. Even the northern states had slave codes which limited the rights of the free blacks who lived there. Most slave codes, especially those in the southern colonies, gave the slave owners complete control over their slaves. The Black Codes were designed to keep the pre-war societal situation in the south. They designated the blacks to be cheap agricultural labor and kept the white superiority in all positions. Specifically, there were laws that required all blacks to have jobs or face punishment. Additionally, blacks were banned from meetings, and owning houses or businesses in certain areas and times. Many laws turned the non-black community into a policing force by relegating the detection and apprehension of offenders to them. These laws were made useless by the Fourteenth Amendment and the Radical Republican Reconstruction, but they evolved again into the infamous Jim Crow laws.
The Black Codes severely impeded the Reconstruction efforts. These laws sought to paralyze the standing of the people and keep the now free black in essentially a new slavery, which defied the attempted racial equality of the Reconstruction. The Black Codes ultimately divided the blacks and whites and influenced additional laws which divided the races of the south even more. This widening division negatively impacted racial relations and the blacks’ progress for an equal position in American society.
The Ku Klux Klan was founded in Tennessee in 1855-1856. It was created as a group for former Confederate Officers to gather and socialize. It turned into a white-supremacist group as slaves were freed following the Civil War. The KKK had demonstrations and gatherings during the night, riding on horses, and pretending to be the ghosts of old confederate soldiers. Uneducated African-Americans believed in these ghosts and feared that they had come to retake land. The KKK also targeted carpetbaggers, scalawags, and Blacks for beatings and lynchings. In 1869, Grand Wizard Nathan Forrest broke up the KKK after the growing concern of the increased violence. While local KKK groups continued to remain active, the group continued to decrease until reconstruction ended.
The KKK was significant because it represented the hatred and contempt that many Whites felt towards Blacks and those who supported the freed slaves. It also represents the sectional differences that remained between the North and the South, for many supporters of a Republican government were also targeted by the KKK. Their violent demonstrations served as an example of how passionate southern extremists were and how far they were willing to take action. When looking at the KKK, the question needs to be asked: What did the Civil War accomplish? African Americans may have been legally free, yet they were harassed and had less rights then Caucasians. Little legal action was taken by the police against the Ku Klux Klan, highlighting the Southern preference for Whites over Blacks. The KKK showed the large differences in society between the North and the South during Reconstruction.
The first reconstruction act was passed by congress, over the president’s veto, on March 2, 1867. It served many purposes along with its supplements in the following years. Firstly, the act invalidated the pre-existing governments of President Andrew Johnson’s plan. Secondly, the Confederate states that did not ratify the Fourteenth Amendment, all but Tennessee, were divided up into five military districts. A presidentially appointed military governor was put in command of each district and given the authorization to appoint and remove officials. Thirdly, the right to vote was given to the freedmen of the country. Lastly prior to re-admission, southern states were required to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment.
The Five Military Districts
This Act, and the following supplements, created a lot of tension between Congress and the President. It was a way for the Radical Republicans in Congress to punish the southern states, as they had hoped. The cost of this, however, was raising tensions within the government, which would rise with the coming years. This legislation also created tension between the newly re-instated southern states and the government, the South and the North. Southerners resented the invasive military rule and the extended rights of the black man, who used to be their workforce.
The Tenure of Office Act stated that all federal officials whose appointment had to be approved by the Senate could not be removed from office without the consent of the Senate. If Senate was adjourned, the President holds the power to suspend this person from office, but not to remove them entirely until Senate approves. If the Senate does not wish to remove the person from office, the official will be reinstated. President Johnson vetoed this piece of legislature because he believed it was unconstitutional for swaying the balance of powers between Congress and the president. On March 2, 18678, however, Congress over-rode Johnson’s veto and passed the Tenure of Office Act. Johnson defied this act however when he first asked Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to step down, and later suspended him from office and appointed Ulysses S. Grant to the position without the consent of the Senate. The removal of Stanton showed vagueness in the act, because it did not provide for officials appointed by a previous president, as President Abraham Lincoln appointed Stanton. Later, on February 24, 1868, Congress moved to impeach Johnson for violating the Tenure of Office Act. The act put into question how much Congress can regulate what the President can or cannot do. The Tenure of Office Act was eventually found unconstitutional in 1926 during the court case Myers vs. United States. Previously, however, both Presidents Ulysses Grant and James Garfield had complained continuously about the act. The act was not repealed, though, until 1887, when President Grover Cleveland convinced Congress it only hurt the country. about the act
1868
The Impeachment of Johnson: Congress made a motion on February 24, 1868 to impeach President Andrew Johnson. Johnson was a southern democrat who became president after John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Andrew Johnson was a fairly uneducated southerner who opposed slavery only for the power it provided the southern planter class he despised. Although he was a democrat against slavery, he believed in white supremacy. After the Civil War was over, during the Reconstruction Era, Johnson’s main goal was to prevent the south’s hierarchy from regaining power. Aside from this, he did not much care what happened to freed slaves. Many radical republicans in Congress wanted to work to help the freedmen more, but Johnson was largely uninterested. Johnson repeatedly blocked and vetoed acts of Congress, such as the Reconstruction Acts. It became a constant tug of war between Congress and President Johnson. Finally, Congress, trying to limit Johnson’s power, passed the Tenure of Office Act in 1867. Johnson, finding the act unconstitutional, disregarded the act, and dismissed Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, a Radical Republican. Andrew Johnson tried to replace Stanton with General Ulysses S. Grant. Grant, not wanting to anger Congress, declined the position, since he wanted to run for president. Since Johnson had defied this law, Congress impeached him with charges of violating the Tenure of Office Act. During Johnson’s trial, he proved an ambiguity in the Tenure of Office Act: it did not say anything about cabinet positions appointed by President Lincoln, such as that of Stanton’s, which called into question the validity of Johnson’s impeachment. Additionally, Johnson was not impeached because he promised to uphold the Reconstruction acts, not to make any more speeches attacking Congress, and to appoint a new Secretary of War popular with Republicans, General John M. Schofield. The near impeachment of President Johnson proved the strength of the Republicans, even the Radical Republicans in Congress. Congress was able to override Johnson’s veto on the Reconstruction Acts with a vote over three fourths. It also proved Johnson’s unpopularity, and why he was not re-elected for president. Johnson did not try to cooperate with Congress at all. The events leading up to the impeachment were important because General Grant’s refusal of the position of Secretary of War boosted his popularity, leading to his election as president later on. President Andrew Johnson PBS articleTranscript of Impeachment Trial
Thirteenth Amendment/ Fourteenth Amendment
1870 /Fifteenth Amendment 1870-1871
Amendments 13th Amendment The thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in America, it abolished all forms of slavery and involuntary service or labor unless it was for a criminal punishment. It also said that Congress has the power to enforce the article. 14th Amendment The fourteenth Amendment says that all people born or “naturalized” in the United States are citizens of the state where they live in. It states that no state can make laws that diminish the privileges or rights of a US citizen. No state can deny a person of life, liberty, or property without being able to do so through law. Also no state can deny anyone the equal protection of the laws as long as it is in the states jurisdiction. Each state must have representatives according to each state’s population to represent how many votes the state should get. Only whole persons count and Indians are not included because they are not taxed. You can only vote if you are a citizen or over twenty one. Also any claims or payments that were lost from the abolishment of slaves or any debts for a rebellion against the U.S. are illegal debts to be paid. Congress has the power to enforce the amendment. 15th Amendment Citizens of the United States cannot be denied of their right to vote no matter the person’s race, color, or because of their previous life styles. The congress has the power to enforce this. Significance The 13th amendment was a great step for former slaves in America. They were potentially going to be treated equal because they could no longer be dehumanized in the life of slavery. Although after the civil war nothing really changed for black, perhaps things were even worse. This amendment possibly fueled the south to assassinate Abraham Lincoln who was the man who had the most power and will to help the African Americans. States did not enforce their people to treat blacks better and many whites in the south acted in extreme violence because there were outraged about what was going on in the country. Many slaves had no choice but to still be controlled by their former masters because they could not get jobs, land or earn money. Their rights were ignored and many blacks were persecuted often with the result of death. The fourteenth amendment was created in 1868 and it expanded the protection of every Americans civil rights and gave blacks a better opportunity to be treated better by whites in the country. The fifteenth amendment made blacks able to vote but this law was not heavily enforced in the beginning, it stirred racist whites who did not respect blacks as their equals. artice about amendment
Enforcement Acts
Because secret societies like the Ku Klux Klan blatantly disregarded the Fifteenth Amendment, President Grant enacted the Enforcement Acts. The acts would ensure that the Fifteenth amendment, which prohibited taking away the right to vote based on race, color, or previous place of work, would be followed. The objective of the act was to promote the rights of blacks, and forcefully stop the violent outbreaks against blacks who wanted freedom. The main act, The Ku Klux Klan Act, helped allow blacks the right to vote for whomever they wanted without being threatened or murdered by secret societies. Overall, the acts helped the situation, allowing virtually uncorrupt elections.
The Enforcement Acts were some of the many steps taken to promote black rights. This measure that the president took was to ensure that the policies established would be followed forcefully. The Union attempted desperately to abolish anti-black feelings, but with the rise of the secret societies, wanting white supremacy, the task was difficult. In effect, the Enforcement Acts, more specifically the Ku Klux Klan Act, helped put an end to violence and corruption towards blacks. In elections that followed, blacks had much greater influence, gaining support for Republicans in the Deep South. This turnout led to the end of the previous Radical Reconstruction plans.
The Presidential Election of 1876 was fought between Democrat New York Governor Samuel J. Tilden and Republican Ohio Governor Rutherford B. Hayes during Reconstruction. Tilden won the popular vote by over 200,000 votes, but was one vote short of the required 185 electoral votes to obtain the Presidency. Hayes had only 165 electoral votes by comparison. There were, however, twenty electoral votes in dispute between South Carolina, Florida, Oregon and Louisiana. Republicans were unhappy with the result as it was, and accused the Democrats in the south of intimidating the African Americans from voting, changing the result. Because of this, all of those states sent two sets of electoral results to congress, each electing a different president. To solve this dispute, a commission was assembled to elect a president by awarding the disputed electoral votes. The ruling awarded all twenty electoral votes to Hayes, and gave him the Presidency.
This election created such a large amount of bitterness between the Democrats and Republicans, and between the North and South, that many feared for a second Civil War, just seventeen years after the first one had started. There was also no provision for such an election in the Constitution, forcing Congress to establish an Electoral Commission. The vote from that Commission was eight votes by Republicans to elect Hayes, seven by Democrats to elect Tilden, angering many southern Democrats.
After the disputed election of 1876, an Electoral Commission decided to award the Presidency to Republican Rutherford Hayes. Democrats threatened to prevent the Commission from presenting in the Senate with a filibuster, which would prevent Hayes from assuming the Presidency. Republicans and Democrats negotiated, and came to a compromise, known as the Compromise of 1877. This compromise established Hayes as President, removed federal troops from the South, provided funding to the South for improvements, and named a Southerner to the Presidents cabinet.
This compromise ended Reconstruction, and allowed the South to regulate itself, as the federal government would no longer run the south itself. This compromise ended the radical governments set up in Louisiana and South Carolina. It also prevented a possible secession from some southern states, starting a second Civil War. A political cartoon made in 1877 (below) shows shows that the compromise was only needed because the southern Democrats were going to prevent a President from being elected if it was not Tilden.
1863
Emancipation Proclamation
Abraham Lincoln was aware of the strong racial prejudice of most white people in the North and South. He wanted equality for blacks in the United States, and so he created a proposal to support the voluntary colonization of free blacks outside the US. Responding to political pressure, on September 22, 1862, Lincoln issued his preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Had he failed to act, he would have split the Republican Party, most of whom favored emancipation. The Proclamation gave the confederate states one hundred days to give up the struggle without losing their slaves. On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that the slaves of the confederacy were free. Since the South had not yet been defeated, the proclamation did not immediately free anyone, but it made being free from slavery an explicit war aim of the North.Despite its powerful wording, the Emancipation Proclamation was limited in many ways. It only applied to states that had seceded from the Union, leaving slavery untouched in the loyal slave states. It also expressly exempted parts of the Confederacy that had already come under Northern control. Also, the freedom that it promised depended upon Union military victory. The Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery in the nation, however it did affect the advance of federal troops; it expanded the domain of freedom. The Proclamation announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy, enabling the liberated to become liberators. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom. The Proclamation accelerated the breakdown of slavery as a labor system, and therefore deprived the South of many of its workers that were the backbone of the economy.
Further Information on the Emancipation Proclamation
A Reprint of the Document
Lincoln's 10% Plan
President Abraham Lincoln’s “Ten Percent Plan” was a part of his Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction. (Link and Tenth paragraph) The plan applied only to the states which had seceded from the Union and outlined the criteria which those states needed to adhere to in order to become a part of the Union once more. First, at least ten percent of the state’s voting population must have sworn an oath of allegiance to the Union. However, if a person took the oath and then broke afterwards their oath would be void and would not count towards the ten percent. The federal government determined the size of the voting population in a state by the number of voters in the 1860 presidential election. Second, that state needed to abolish slavery within its borders. Once the ten percent had been obtain and the slaves freed, a state government could be established, but it needed to be republican. The “Ten Percent Plan” implied that once the state level government had been erected then that state would be allowed all of the constitutional benefits that came from being part of the Union.In order for the “Ten Percent Plan” to be effective the nation had to believe that individuals had committed treason instead of collective states. That would give the power of reentry to Lincoln because only the president can pardon criminals. The plan would have allowed the north to complete their goals of restoring unity to the nation and freeing slaves in the south. Lincoln chose ten percent because he knew that the rapport with the south would be strained if he required all of them to pledge their allegiance to the Union and denounce the Confederation. Also, ten percent allowed for a quick reentry into the Union for former confederate states. Louisiana and Arkansas both fulfilled the requirements in a short amount of time, however, congress refused to acknowledge them. Congress chose to believe that states had left the nation because congress would have the power to decide when and how a state was readmitted into the country. Also many radical republicans believed that Lincoln’s plan was too lenient. They did not trust the south and believed that they should be properly punished for their actions. The plan for reconstruction caused many political divisions among northern men. In the end the “Ten Percent Plan” was never ratified because of President Lincoln’s assassination.
Ten Percent Plan is in the tenth paragraph
President Abraham Lincoln's Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
President Lincoln's plan for reconstruction is in the first entry
PBS Timeline of Reconstruction
1864
Wade-Davis Bill
The Wade-Davis Bill was a response to Lincoln’s 10% plan. Congress, comprised of mainly republicans, wanted to ensure that there would be stricter measures on how to admit states back into the Union. The 10% plan was far too liberal in their eyes, so they refused to accept it as law, consequently setting up there own plan for re-admittance. Senator Benjamin F. Wade and Representative Henry Winter Davis proposed the plan in February of 1864, setting up stricter provisions. The plan required 50% of the white men in a state to take loyalty oaths for the Union in order to be readmitted. Also, to promote black rights, it became mandatory for black’s to have the right to vote. Congress passed the bill easily, but Lincoln used a pocket veto by not signing the bill, which nullified it. Afterwards, there was still a need for a solution to restoring the Union.
Both the Wade-Davis Bill and 10% percent plan exemplified the Union’s misunderstandings and differing opinions. Lincoln’s belief that the people left the Union, and Congress’ belief that the states left the Union, created a large division between radicals and liberals on how to reconstruct the Union. The Wade-Davis bill created an impasse between Congress and the president as nothing was getting accomplished after its veto. Both plans to readmit states failed, and although Lincoln appeared to be more willing to follow a stricter policy, his death put a halt to any progress. After the bill’s veto, the United States’ method to readmit states was undefined and needed work.
Brief Information on the Wade-Davis Bill
Copy of Wade-Davis Bill
1865
Assassination of Abe Lincoln
Just five days after the surrender of Confederate army General Robert E. Lee, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. On April 14, 1865, Lincoln was shot while attending a play with his wife at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor whose intention was to motivate the remaining Confederate troops to keep fighting, shot Lincoln. Booth jumped onto the stage and escaped to Maryland. Booth was found hiding in a barn on April 26, which was set on fire. Booth was shot and killed and eight conspirators were punished for their involvement in Lincoln’s death. Lincoln was the first American president to be assassinated. Andrew Johnson, whom was named President after Lincoln’s death, made a speech in Cleveland on September 3, 1866. At the end of this speech, Johnson said:“All I want now, peace has come and the war is over, is for all patriotic men to rally round the standard of their country, and swear by their altars and their God, that all shall sink together but what this Union shall be supported. Then in parting with you tonight, I hang over you this flag, not of 25 but of 36 stars; I hand over to you the Constitution of my country, though imprisoned, though breaches have been made upon it, with confidence hoping that you will repair the breaches; I hand it over to you, in whom I have always trusted and relied, and, so far, I have never deserted-and I feel confident, while speaking here tonight, for heart responds to heart of man, that you agree to the same great doctrine."
Abraham Lincoln is known as one of the greatest Presidents our country has ever seen. His actions were the cornerstone of the abolishment of slavery. Lincoln had plans for America’s reconstruction, like the 10% plan, which was ignored Johnson. Johnson also vetoed two bills that the Republicans supported. Johnson’s actions lead to many disputes with congress. The difference in views between Johnson and Congress for the reconstruction of America eventually became irreconcilable and Congress had no choice but to implement its own plan for reconstruction, which was referred to as the Radical Reconstruction. This dispute between Johnson and Congress delayed the reconstruction process. John disregarding Lincoln’s original plan for reconstruction also altered the process entirely.
Freedman's Bureau
1865
The Freedmen's Bill Passed
Freedmen’s Bureau, or also referred to as Freedman, Land of Refugees and the Bureau of Refugees, was founded by the Department of war after Abraham Lincolns Emancipation proclamation. Lincoln initiated the idea by passing The Freedmen’s Bureau Bill on March 3, 1865 with the notion that the law would only be in place for one year. Freedmen’s Bureau was lead by the general of the Union Army, Oliver Otis Howard, and was established to help emancipated slaves with their transition to freedom. Freedmen’s Bureau helped former slaves with healthcare, finding work, legality issues, education, marriage licenses and land ownership. Freedmen's Bureau's greatest advancement for the freed slaves was in education. Over a thousand schools for the African Americans were built to help them better adapt to the change around them in the south. Freedmen’s Bureau lasted from 1865 until 1872, when Ulysses S. Grant terminated it after it was under suspition for corruption by the Radical Republicans who controlled it.
Freedmen's Bureau Education
Background On Freedmen's Bureau
Freedmen’s Bureau was the first significant institution put in place to help the blacks of the south transition into a free life. With the help of Freedmen’s Bureau, thousands of freed slaves were able to have legal help to protect them from illegal enslavement and unfair employment pay. African Americans were receiving support from the north to survive in the south and it was now possible for African Americans to obtain full citizenship, as well as a further understanding of society. Freedmen’s Bureau brought previously separated families back together and strengthened the power of African Americans both socially and economically. It was a pivotal point in time following the Emancipation Proclamation to help reconstruct the south’s social classes by adding freed slaves into society. However, towards its end, the strides that Freedmen's Bureau had taken was overshadowed by the idea that Radical Republican were simply using it as means of power for control over the southern states. As well as being in question for their true intentions, Freedman's Bureau, although successful in the short term, was proved to be ineffective in the long term simply because 7 years was not nearly enough to help the African Americans transition from slavery into freedom. After Freedmen's Bureau was dissolved, the ex-slaves were left to their own means to face the little-changed morale of the south.
Carpetbaggers and Scalawags
Scalawags and Carpetbaggers were derogatory terms used to describe two different groups of Whites in the south, Scalawags referred to native White southerners. These people supported the reconstruction plan. They also supported the Blacks in the south. While some supported the new government and freed African Americans for financial gain, others had believed in these ideas before the civil war. Carpetbaggers referred to Whites who had moved to the South from the North. The name “carpetbagger” came from the bags made of cloth that were used to carry their belongings. Not all carpetbaggers actually had these bags. Some carpetbaggers simply moved to the South for financial opportunity, but others came for a better life and to help rebuild the South.Scalawags and Carpetbaggers represented the negative feelings to those who supported the federal government and African Americans. Even Caucasians were viewed negatively if they supported what most Southerners despised. The sectional differences also were apparent from the hatred towards those who moved from the North (carpetbaggers). These derogatory terms show the disdain for the federal government in the South. While the South had returned to the Union after their defeat in the Civil War, it had not changed their differences that had caused them to depart in the first place. Even those who moved to the South to help rebuild the damaged towns were disliked. Carpetbaggers and Scalawags show progress in the way that there were more supporters of the Union after the Civil War, but also show that there were still clear differences between the two sides.
Brief Description for Carpetbaggers and Scalawags
Testimony on Carpetbaggers and Scalawags from 1872 (Library Database)
Black Codes
The Black Codes were a series of laws put in place shortly after the Civil War by the defeated Confederate states. The concept of the Black Codes came from the old Slave Codes, which defined the rights of slaves and regulated slavery. Even the northern states had slave codes which limited the rights of the free blacks who lived there. Most slave codes, especially those in the southern colonies, gave the slave owners complete control over their slaves. The Black Codes were designed to keep the pre-war societal situation in the south. They designated the blacks to be cheap agricultural labor and kept the white superiority in all positions. Specifically, there were laws that required all blacks to have jobs or face punishment. Additionally, blacks were banned from meetings, and owning houses or businesses in certain areas and times. Many laws turned the non-black community into a policing force by relegating the detection and apprehension of offenders to them. These laws were made useless by the Fourteenth Amendment and the Radical Republican Reconstruction, but they evolved again into the infamous Jim Crow laws.
The Black Codes severely impeded the Reconstruction efforts. These laws sought to paralyze the standing of the people and keep the now free black in essentially a new slavery, which defied the attempted racial equality of the Reconstruction. The Black Codes ultimately divided the blacks and whites and influenced additional laws which divided the races of the south even more. This widening division negatively impacted racial relations and the blacks’ progress for an equal position in American society.
Overview of the Black Codes
Examples from the Louisiana Black Codes
Ku Klux Klan
The Ku Klux Klan was founded in Tennessee in 1855-1856. It was created as a group for former Confederate Officers to gather and socialize. It turned into a white-supremacist group as slaves were freed following the Civil War. The KKK had demonstrations and gatherings during the night, riding on horses, and pretending to be the ghosts of old confederate soldiers. Uneducated African-Americans believed in these ghosts and feared that they had come to retake land. The KKK also targeted carpetbaggers, scalawags, and Blacks for beatings and lynchings. In 1869, Grand Wizard Nathan Forrest broke up the KKK after the growing concern of the increased violence. While local KKK groups continued to remain active, the group continued to decrease until reconstruction ended.The KKK was significant because it represented the hatred and contempt that many Whites felt towards Blacks and those who supported the freed slaves. It also represents the sectional differences that remained between the North and the South, for many supporters of a Republican government were also targeted by the KKK. Their violent demonstrations served as an example of how passionate southern extremists were and how far they were willing to take action. When looking at the KKK, the question needs to be asked: What did the Civil War accomplish? African Americans may have been legally free, yet they were harassed and had less rights then Caucasians. Little legal action was taken by the police against the Ku Klux Klan, highlighting the Southern preference for Whites over Blacks. The KKK showed the large differences in society between the North and the South during Reconstruction.
Description of Ku Klux Klan
A description of KKK destruction in Tennessee in 1892 (Library Database)
1866
Civil Rights War
1867
First Reconstruction Act
The first reconstruction act was passed by congress, over the president’s veto, on March 2, 1867. It served many purposes along with its supplements in the following years. Firstly, the act invalidated the pre-existing governments of President Andrew Johnson’s plan. Secondly, the Confederate states that did not ratify the Fourteenth Amendment, all but Tennessee, were divided up into five military districts. A presidentially appointed military governor was put in command of each district and given the authorization to appoint and remove officials. Thirdly, the right to vote was given to the freedmen of the country. Lastly prior to re-admission, southern states were required to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment.This Act, and the following supplements, created a lot of tension between Congress and the President. It was a way for the Radical Republicans in Congress to punish the southern states, as they had hoped. The cost of this, however, was raising tensions within the government, which would rise with the coming years. This legislation also created tension between the newly re-instated southern states and the government, the South and the North. Southerners resented the invasive military rule and the extended rights of the black man, who used to be their workforce.
Further Overview of The First Reconstruction Act
Letter of Veto from President Andrew Johnson
Tenure of Office Act
The Tenure of Office Act stated that all federal officials whose appointment had to be approved by the Senate could not be removed from office without the consent of the Senate. If Senate was adjourned, the President holds the power to suspend this person from office, but not to remove them entirely until Senate approves. If the Senate does not wish to remove the person from office, the official will be reinstated. President Johnson vetoed this piece of legislature because he believed it was unconstitutional for swaying the balance of powers between Congress and the president. On March 2, 18678, however, Congress over-rode Johnson’s veto and passed the Tenure of Office Act. Johnson defied this act however when he first asked Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to step down, and later suspended him from office and appointed Ulysses S. Grant to the position without the consent of the Senate. The removal of Stanton showed vagueness in the act, because it did not provide for officials appointed by a previous president, as President Abraham Lincoln appointed Stanton.Later, on February 24, 1868, Congress moved to impeach Johnson for violating the Tenure of Office Act. The act put into question how much Congress can regulate what the President can or cannot do. The Tenure of Office Act was eventually found unconstitutional in 1926 during the court case Myers vs. United States. Previously, however, both Presidents Ulysses Grant and James Garfield had complained continuously about the act. The act was not repealed, though, until 1887, when President Grover Cleveland convinced Congress it only hurt the country.
about the act
1868
The Impeachment of Johnson:Congress made a motion on February 24, 1868 to impeach President Andrew Johnson. Johnson was a southern democrat who became president after John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Andrew Johnson was a fairly uneducated southerner who opposed slavery only for the power it provided the southern planter class he despised. Although he was a democrat against slavery, he believed in white supremacy. After the Civil War was over, during the Reconstruction Era, Johnson’s main goal was to prevent the south’s hierarchy from regaining power. Aside from this, he did not much care what happened to freed slaves. Many radical republicans in Congress wanted to work to help the freedmen more, but Johnson was largely uninterested. Johnson repeatedly blocked and vetoed acts of Congress, such as the Reconstruction Acts. It became a constant tug of war between Congress and President Johnson. Finally, Congress, trying to limit Johnson’s power, passed the Tenure of Office Act in 1867. Johnson, finding the act unconstitutional, disregarded the act, and dismissed Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, a Radical Republican. Andrew Johnson tried to replace Stanton with General Ulysses S. Grant. Grant, not wanting to anger Congress, declined the position, since he wanted to run for president. Since Johnson had defied this law, Congress impeached him with charges of violating the Tenure of Office Act. During Johnson’s trial, he proved an ambiguity in the Tenure of Office Act: it did not say anything about cabinet positions appointed by President Lincoln, such as that of Stanton’s, which called into question the validity of Johnson’s impeachment. Additionally, Johnson was not impeached because he promised to uphold the Reconstruction acts, not to make any more speeches attacking Congress, and to appoint a new Secretary of War popular with Republicans, General John M. Schofield.
The near impeachment of President Johnson proved the strength of the Republicans, even the Radical Republicans in Congress. Congress was able to override Johnson’s veto on the Reconstruction Acts with a vote over three fourths. It also proved Johnson’s unpopularity, and why he was not re-elected for president. Johnson did not try to cooperate with Congress at all. The events leading up to the impeachment were important because General Grant’s refusal of the position of Secretary of War boosted his popularity, leading to his election as president later on.
PBS article Transcript of Impeachment Trial
Thirteenth Amendment/ Fourteenth Amendment
1870 /Fifteenth Amendment 1870-1871
Amendments13th Amendment
The thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in America, it abolished all forms of slavery and involuntary service or labor unless it was for a criminal punishment. It also said that Congress has the power to enforce the article.
14th Amendment
The fourteenth Amendment says that all people born or “naturalized” in the United States are citizens of the state where they live in. It states that no state can make laws that diminish the privileges or rights of a US citizen. No state can deny a person of life, liberty, or property without being able to do so through law. Also no state can deny anyone the equal protection of the laws as long as it is in the states jurisdiction. Each state must have representatives according to each state’s population to represent how many votes the state should get. Only whole persons count and Indians are not included because they are not taxed. You can only vote if you are a citizen or over twenty one. Also any claims or payments that were lost from the abolishment of slaves or any debts for a rebellion against the U.S. are illegal debts to be paid. Congress has the power to enforce the amendment.
15th Amendment
Citizens of the United States cannot be denied of their right to vote no matter the person’s race, color, or because of their previous life styles. The congress has the power to enforce this.
Significance
The 13th amendment was a great step for former slaves in America. They were potentially going to be treated equal because they could no longer be dehumanized in the life of slavery. Although after the civil war nothing really changed for black, perhaps things were even worse. This amendment possibly fueled the south to assassinate Abraham Lincoln who was the man who had the most power and will to help the African Americans. States did not enforce their people to treat blacks better and many whites in the south acted in extreme violence because there were outraged about what was going on in the country. Many slaves had no choice but to still be controlled by their former masters because they could not get jobs, land or earn money. Their rights were ignored and many blacks were persecuted often with the result of death.
The fourteenth amendment was created in 1868 and it expanded the protection of every Americans civil rights and gave blacks a better opportunity to be treated better by whites in the country. The fifteenth amendment made blacks able to vote but this law was not heavily enforced in the beginning, it stirred racist whites who did not respect blacks as their equals.
artice about amendment
Enforcement Acts
Because secret societies like the Ku Klux Klan blatantly disregarded the Fifteenth Amendment, President Grant enacted the Enforcement Acts. The acts would ensure that the Fifteenth amendment, which prohibited taking away the right to vote based on race, color, or previous place of work, would be followed. The objective of the act was to promote the rights of blacks, and forcefully stop the violent outbreaks against blacks who wanted freedom. The main act, The Ku Klux Klan Act, helped allow blacks the right to vote for whomever they wanted without being threatened or murdered by secret societies. Overall, the acts helped the situation, allowing virtually uncorrupt elections.The Enforcement Acts were some of the many steps taken to promote black rights. This measure that the president took was to ensure that the policies established would be followed forcefully. The Union attempted desperately to abolish anti-black feelings, but with the rise of the secret societies, wanting white supremacy, the task was difficult. In effect, the Enforcement Acts, more specifically the Ku Klux Klan Act, helped put an end to violence and corruption towards blacks. In elections that followed, blacks had much greater influence, gaining support for Republicans in the Deep South. This turnout led to the end of the previous Radical Reconstruction plans.
Information from PBS on the Enforcemnet Acts
Copy of the Enforcement Act of 1870
1876
Election of 1876
The Presidential Election of 1876 was fought between Democrat New York Governor Samuel J. Tilden and Republican Ohio Governor Rutherford B. Hayes during Reconstruction. Tilden won the popular vote by over 200,000 votes, but was one vote short of the required 185 electoral votes to obtain the Presidency. Hayes had only 165 electoral votes by comparison. There were, however, twenty electoral votes in dispute between South Carolina, Florida, Oregon and Louisiana. Republicans were unhappy with the result as it was, and accused the Democrats in the south of intimidating the African Americans from voting, changing the result. Because of this, all of those states sent two sets of electoral results to congress, each electing a different president. To solve this dispute, a commission was assembled to elect a president by awarding the disputed electoral votes. The ruling awarded all twenty electoral votes to Hayes, and gave him the Presidency.This election created such a large amount of bitterness between the Democrats and Republicans, and between the North and South, that many feared for a second Civil War, just seventeen years after the first one had started. There was also no provision for such an election in the Constitution, forcing Congress to establish an Electoral Commission. The vote from that Commission was eight votes by Republicans to elect Hayes, seven by Democrats to elect Tilden, angering many southern Democrats.
Summary of Election of 1876
Journal of Hayes During Election
1877
Compromise of 1877
After the disputed election of 1876, an Electoral Commission decided to award the Presidency to Republican Rutherford Hayes. Democrats threatened to prevent the Commission from presenting in the Senate with a filibuster, which would prevent Hayes from assuming the Presidency. Republicans and Democrats negotiated, and came to a compromise, known as the Compromise of 1877. This compromise established Hayes as President, removed federal troops from the South, provided funding to the South for improvements, and named a Southerner to the Presidents cabinet.
This compromise ended Reconstruction, and allowed the South to regulate itself, as the federal government would no longer run the south itself. This compromise ended the radical governments set up in Louisiana and South Carolina. It also prevented a possible secession from some southern states, starting a second Civil War. A political cartoon made in 1877 (below) shows shows that the compromise was only needed because the southern Democrats were going to prevent a President from being elected if it was not Tilden.
Link to Comic (above)
Information Surrounding Compromise of 1877